Increased weight gain by C-section: Functional significance of the primordial microbiome.

Martinez, Keith A; Devlin, Joseph C; Lacher, Corey R; Yin, Yue; Cai, Yi; Wang, Jincheng; Dominguez-Bello, Maria G · Sci Adv · 2017

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Epidemiological evidence supports a direct association between early microbiota impact-including C-section-and obesity. We performed antibiotic-free, fostered C-sections and determined the impact on the early microbiota and body weight during development. Mice in the C-section group gained more body mass after weaning, with a stronger phenotype in females. C-section-born mice lacked the dynamic developmental gut microbiota changes observed in control mice. The results demonstrate a causal relationship between C-section and increased body weight, supporting the involvement of maternal vaginal bacteria in normal metabolic development.

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